Man City set to miss out on Nigerian wonderkid

Sporting Lisbon look set to beat Manchester City and a host of top European clubs to the signing of Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho.

City were thought to be frontrunners to sign the 17-year-old after Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi last month claimed the forward was finalising a switch to England.

However, he is now on the verge of signing for Sporting Lisbon, according to reports in his homeland.

Sporting are willing to fork out £250,000 and add-ons - an offer which exceeds domestic rivals Porto's £210,000 bid.

Iheanacho, who is on the books at Taye Academy, was the star of last month's Under-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates where he scored six goals and was named the player of the tournament as Nigeria claimed the title.

City were not the only English side to express an interest in him - both Chelsea and Arsenal have monitored him, while PAOK Salonika, Udinese and Monaco were also in the running to sign the striker.